Chapter 2- Hardware and Software

Chapter 2- Hardware and Software

1. Hardware

   • physical aspects of a computer system that can be touched.
   • They include input devices, output devices, storage devices, processors, memory and the mother board.
   • In the base unit: motherboard, CPU, RAM and cache
   • Peripherals: monitor, mouse, keyboard andwebcam

2. Software

   • code which has been written to run programs on a computer system. It can be used to control and use the hardware.
   • binary code
   • E.g. Word processing software, Desktop publishing software, Web browser, email clinet
   • Types
     • Operating Systems
       • Manages the hardware
       • Manages all communications between applications & hardware
     • Utilities Software
       • Manages the smooth running of the computer system
     • Applications Software
       • Programmes that make the computer useful
       • Such as:
         • Web Browser
         • Word Processor
         • Video Editing
         • Spreadsheet
         • Database
         • Desktop Publishing
     • User Interface
       • Communication that takes place between the user and the computer
       • WIMP
       • Command-based
       • Natural language
       • Forms Dialogue
         • Tick Boxes
         • Spinners
         • Text Boxes
         • Buttons
         • Radio Buttons
         • Drop down boxes

3. Standards

   • IBM
     • They designed a PC specifically to allow hardware developed by other manufacturers to be used with their systems.
     • IBM told other manufacturers how to make their equipment compatible with the IBM PC.
   • Lack of Standarasiation
     • = Lack of Compatability
     • Operating Systems
       • Have limited choice what applications can be used
   • Changing standards quickly can cause problems, such as:
     • Compatibility
       • Applications are not always compatible with all operating systems.
     • Costs to consumers
       • Costs money to upgrade operating systems/ applications
     • Restrictions
       • Restricted to the software applications for that operating system

4. Input devices

   • Keyboard
     • Concept Keyboard
       • Replacement keys, keyboard or different layout of keys
       • Useful for young children
       • Used on touch screen devices where the layout changes
     • Limited to around 100-115 keys
     • Laptops have physically smaller keyboards
     • Numeric keyboard
   • Pointing Devices
     • Allow objects to be selected and manipulated on screen
     • A mouse
     • Track pad
       • Used on laptops/ portable computers
     • Tracker ball
       • 'Upside down' mouse
       • Useful for people who have unsteady hands
   • Game Devices
     • Joy Sticks
     • Game Pads
       • Wii- can be used mid air with no cables and a sensor bar that detects movement
       • X-Box Kinect- introduced gesture control
   • Magnetic stripe & Smart Chips
     • Magnetic Stripe
       • Contains: number of card, start & expiry date and the name of cardholder.
       • Can be read very easily
     • Smart Chip
       • Contains more data
       • More secure (requires PIN to confirm)
   • Scanner
     • Transfer a 2D image into a file on the computer
     • Hand held
     • Flatbed (normal)
     • Barcode
   • Optical Mark Reader
     • Reads marks optically
     • National Lottery
     • Multiple choice papers
   • Microphone
   • Sensors
     • Pressure Switches
     • Thermometers
   • Touch screen

5. Output Devices

   • Screens
     • Traditional monitors (15"-20+")
     • Larger displays (25+")
     • Projectors
     • Tablet & Mobile phones
     • Televisions
   • Speaker
   • Lights
   • Printers
     • Laser Printers
       • Highest Quality
       • Fastest speeds
       • Low running costs
       • 2p per page
       • Colour & mono
       • Popular in offices
     • Inkjet Printers
       • Cheaper to buy than laser
       • Running costs are higher than laser
       • Not as high quality as laser
       • Popular in homes
       • Colour
     • Dot Matrix Printer
       • Used very rarely
       • = Impact printers
       • Printing on duplicate paper
     • Plotters
       • Draw very large images
       • Large paper
       • Use pens to draw directly onto paper
     • Justifying the choice of printer
       • What will it be used for
       • Speed of printing (pages per minute)
       • Intial cost
       • Running cost (cost per page)
       • Availability of colour
       • Quality

6. Storage Devices

   • Hard Disk
   • Optical memory
   • Tape
   • Flash Memory

7. Specialist Hardware devices for disabled users

   • Puff-suck Switch
   • Foot mouse
   • Eye Typer
   • Braille Printers
   • Keyboards
   • Speakers
   • Microphones

8. Specialist Software for physically disabled users

   • Predictive text
   • Sticky Keys
   • Zoom
   • Voice recognition